"8 week consultant review"

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi everyone

I had my 8 week consultant review yesterday, it was all mostly positive. I can now swim including breaststroke, I can drive, my scar has healed beautifully. Haematoma is still there, that's to be left alone,hopefully will disappear eventually.

However I felt a little bit let down,I still walk with one crutch,which I swapped to a stick yesterday. The registrar said to me that most people could walk fine at this stage without anything. Iv tried around the house so many times and just walk with a ridiculous limp. I don't feel confident outside without a stick.

The stick is making me walk better,he told me to take longer strides,physio was offered but he said could take weeks. I have booked in with a private physio tomorrow,to improve my limp and I'm hoping to loose the stick eventually.

Has anyone had anything similar at this stage? I thought I had progressed well. It would be great to hear back with any advice or experience of this. Thank-you in advance.

Nicky

2

Hi Nicola, Im 9 weeks post op and exactly the same as you. I can drive and walk well with my stick but i just cant walk without it, without a ridiculous limp. id be interested in other peoples experiences too. Im worried I will never leave the stick behind .....

3

Excellent news Nicola. I may have already mentioned it but do consider using a pair of walking poles to establish a good balanced walking gait.

Cheers Richard

4

Hi Nicky,

Happy to hear that everything went well at your 8 week appointment with the exception of you needing walking aids.  You mentioned that you had just booked private physio because you couldn't get in for another 2 weeks. 

I started physio immediately (3 times per week for 8 weeks or so) until I was physically back to normal.   By my 8th week, I was no longer limping and it wasn't obvious to outsiders that I'd ever had a problem with my hip.  Without physio to strengthen your muscles back up, you will be in constant pain. 

Glad to hear that you are getting back on track.  You should see a huge difference in just a few weeks of strengthening.  Remember to use ice packs after each workout.

Best of luck!

5

Hi Nicole, Well done you.But please remember that you have had a big op,& it is early days.We are at different levels of healing.Rest when you can.These sunnier days will do you good.regards Amanda

6

Hi Nicola,

I would definitely push ahead with the physio. Mine is fantastic and addresses specific concerns. When I was limping she focussed on my gait and it has massively improved. She is also working on building up muscles that have become weak both pre and post op. We are all so different how we heal and I think if you can now work with someone who focusses on your concerns you will be fine. I had to really concentrate on holding my core in to prevent limping. I have focussed on short good walking rather than long walks where it all goes to pot!!

You will get there soon, it's only been 8 weeks. Don't compare with others, our bodies are so different. I'm sure the physio will help so go sooner rather than later.

Sam x

7

Morning Nicola!! I'm 8 months in

And still limp! Not as bad as I used to but none the less I still limp. Dr and physical therapy both said it was due to very weak hip muscles. I dislocated my first hip replacement 3 weeks later. Had to have a total hip revision and 6 weeks non weight bearing, no hip flexion past 80 degrees and no hip exercises. So by the time I was able to weight bear again I had a terrible limp. Was using a crutch now using a cane. Can go around house without it but not confident anywhere else. I believe it's going to take time. Lots of time!! The revision didn't help matters. I'm sure you will get better soon just keep exercising and walking and swimming you will get there!! Blessings to you for a speedy recovery healing. Hugs 🤗 LD

8

Hi carol,

Thanks for replying

Yes that's exactly how I feel, it seems from the kind comments from other people that physio is the answer.

I think that once you have some specific exercises to work too and how to improve on a good balanced gait.

Have you had any physio?

Regards

Nicky

9

Hi Richard

Thankyou

I had not considered that

I will look into it

Many thanks

Nicky

10

Hi kimberley

Thank-you that's really encouraging advice. Yes it seems that physio is the answer I'm actually looking forward to it.

I think I will get there with directed exercises and will keep going until my limp goes.

Best wishes

Nicky

11

Hi Nicky,

Very little physio so far. Just told to continue with basic exercises given when I left hospital. Im doing my best to go out for walks. Im back to see my surgeon next week and Im hoping he will say I can do more physio wise. I did so well immediatey after my op but progress is slow now - though Im not a very patient patient! xxx

12

Hi amanda

Thankyou for your kind words

Yes Its much better now the weather is brighter, I will get out as much as I can.

Regards Nicky

13

Hi Sam

That's great advice, physio definitely seems the way forward,especially as they can work out what I need to work on.like you say it will give me specific focus on the muscles I need to strengthen and I'm sure this will improve my gait.

Good idea on short good walking makes sense.

I think it's better if someone gives you the right exercises which will encourage me.

Thanks glad that you are recovering well.

Best wishes

Nicky

14

Hi carol

That sounds exactly the same as my scenario

They gave me 2 exercises at the start and said I didn't require further physio.

Like you I did really well at the start.

patience is a problem, yes I would definitely ask for physio and I'm sure you will find it makes a huge difference.

It's a little frustrating at this stage isn't it?good luck with the surgeon next week,fingers crossed they will offer physio. Hope all goes well

Nicky X x

15

Nicola,

Just ignore the "miraculous recoveries", they do happen, but not often.  Mostly we struggle at some stage in our trip to full recovery.  Indeed, as we see on this forum, some never manage full recovery for various reasons.   My own recovery has been hindered by mistakes in the initial surgery, and the mistakes not being noticed in the X-Rays.

Recover at your own pace, you will be limited by your body's response to the trauma of this brutal surgery, to your previous health (most of us have suffered years of pain and limping), to your exercise regime (get a good physio), and to a certain extent, to luck.

I wasn't able to walk without a stick at 8 weeks, and then had to have corrective revision surgery at 10 weeks (which failed to correct the problem), so back to sleeping on my back, using two sticks etc.  I think recovery the second time was initially quicker, but it took longer to get back to work - I had 5 months off in all, and then a month-long phased return.

Take your time

Best wishes

Graham

16

Hello Nicky, thaks for replying. yes we do sound very similar, so its good to be in touch. Are you in the UK?

It is frustrating, i just want to get on with life. Lots of positives though as I had lots of pain before the op, especially at night and thats gone now. just got to stay positive i suppose and work at those muscles, which havent worked properly (or at all) for years. 

good luck with your progress too. 

Carol x

17

Hi Nicky

Yep happened to me. I am now 5 months post op and walking well but the limp was bad and I ended up paying for hydrotherapy with physio as NHS physio had a ling waiting list. Physio put me on crutches and I had these fir about 6 weeks whilst I built up my muscles. It was hard work exercising but it's really paid off so don't despair you will improve. Still early days for you keep us posted on progress . Ask physio about hydrotherapy.

Good luck

Hilary

18

The first exercise my private physio gave me was 'buttock clenching' (yes really). 3x 10 times morning and night and the right or left side alternatively during the day. 🚶

19

Hi graham

Sounds like you really have had a rough time!

Have you fully recovered now? I hope they managed to get to the root of the problem,that must of been dreadful for you.

Yes I agree, I can't quite comprehend very quick recoveries after such major surgery and extensive trauma.

I am hoping that the physio will really help, I will know more tomorrow.

Thanks for your support, it's such a great forum.

Best wishes

Nicky

20

Hi hilary

Thank-you

Yes it's a long waiting time for physio, so I would rather go private, I will ask tomorrow, iv heard really good reports around hydrotherapy.

Glad that you are walking well now,I can imagine it's hard work!

Im very determined, I will update on my progress

Best wishes

Nicky